3.0 Environmentally Conscious ManufacturingIntroduction

Environmentally conscious manufacturing is defined as the use of the most
efficient processes and practices possible to transform process inputs, such
as energy, materials, etc., into a product that meets all germane
specification, with a minimum of waste or waste by-products. Environmentally
conscious manufacturing operations use a minimum of raw material and energy to
manufacture products.

Does your company need help in evaluating its manufacturing processes and
practices? The key phrase is environmental efficiency , a ranking of key
factors in manufacturing that accomplishes the same purpose and achieves the
desired objective with minimal impact on the environment.

As a minimum, the following factors must be considered when determining
your company's relative environmental efficiency:

Quantity of raw materials required per unit for a final product

Energy required to produce a product

Hazards from any waste generated during the manufacturing process

Work materials sacrificed by the process

The ultimate goal of environmentally conscious manufacturing is sustainable
development. We must look to the future and start developing new ways to
manufacture products that meet our present needs without compromising future
generations' ability to meet their own needs. To achieve this goal, companies
must change their present methods of doing business and look for solutions
that will lead them toward the goal of sustainable development. The following
section contains quality examples of environmentally conscious manufacturing
practices.